Mississippi Unemployment Down Slightly

Jackson, Miss.Mississippi's unemployment rate dropped slightly to 9.1 percent in May, and the state was tied with Illinois for the second-highest jobless rate in the nation.

Figures were released Friday by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Mississippi unemployment rate was 9.2 percent in April and 9.4 percent in March.

Nevada had the highest unemployment rate among the states in May, at 9.5 percent. The next highest rates were in Illinois and Mississippi, 9.1 percent each. North Dakota again had the lowest jobless rate, 3.2 percent.

Mississippi had a decrease of 1,300 people in its labor force in May. The state reported almost 119,500 unemployed people during the month.

The unemployment rate is calculated by a survey that asks how many people are looking for a job.

The U.S. Department of Labor said unemployment rates fell in half of states last month, led by big drops in California, West Virginia, New York and Hawaii. Unemployment rates rose in 17 states and were unchanged in eight.

Employers added jobs in 33 states last month. The biggest gains were in Ohio, Texas and Michigan.

Nationally, the economy added 175,000 jobs in May, while the unemployment rate ticked up to 7.6 percent.

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